A collection of some of the different items fabricators can use to handle stone material.

Patsy Mode discusses with Stone World magazine her experiences in the stone industry and what she has received from Women in Stone

Well, we made it through January, which especially here in the Northeast is usually a long and dreary month. Throw living in a pandemic on top of it, and it seemed even more daunting. But now spring is in sight, and on the work front, there has been a great deal of things going on that have kept me positive and engaged.

Marenakos Rock Center (WA) has been in the stone industry since the 1950’s, when they cut logging roads through the Cascade Mountains.

The virtues of porcelain slabs are numerous, which has led to its growing popularity. The material is light, thin and tough, making it suitable for nearly any interior project from bathroom sinks and vanities to shower trays, kitchen countertops and bathtubs. Because it is lightweight, in can be used in applications where weight is plays a role such as yachts, aircrafts and recreational vehicles, among many others. It is also highly stain-resistant, so as not to require sealing and is low maintenance. It’s also UV-stable, heat- and frost-resistant, so it can be used outdoors as well.

In the processing of marble, granite and stone in general, water has multiple applications. From cutting to polishing, water is needed to avoid overheating work tools and to reduce the dust produced during these various procedures.

The NEXT 3-axis CNC router, available from Amastone, incorporates engineering features exclusive to high-end machinery in a small (useful size: 1000 x 15000 Z260mm), professional, reliable, safe machine to cut marble and granite.

This Stone of the Month is supplied by Brothers in Granite. Technical details provide a frame of reference only. Because stone is a product of nature, testing to determine specific physical qualities should be repeated for each project.

Happy New Year! I have to say, I couldn’t be happier to shut the door on 2020. I’m hoping 2021 will bring all of us better times. While the past year has definitely made for trying moments, it seems that many of the fabricators I have spoken with are finding themselves busy.